Call Me Aarinola

Chapter 3

AARINOLA KEHINDE

I gave two knocks before I proceeded into my professor's office.

Behind a massive wood desk, he sat, waiting for me. His pensive gaze, complete with pen in mouth, he gestured for me to take a seat.

There was an unfamiliar man standing beside him.

My voice laced with uncertainty, I asked. "Am I in trouble?"

I came forward, and the door closed behind me. I didn't know what to expect after my presentation and considering the number of articles that had been circulating around campus. I was more than concerned if my scholarship would be affected.

"My name is Gary, I'm from Futuretech." He gave what I presumed to be his friendliest smile. "No, you are not in trouble."

His words and did nothing to calm my tense body and my face scrunched up in a wrinkled confused look.

"Miss Kehinde, This is Mr. Gary. He is here to talk about your plagiarism software."

I flinched slightly. Come again?

My eyes darted between my professor and this Mr. Gary with a perfectly well pressed shirt and suspenders.

"We are prepared to make you an offer."

This slender, fair-skinned man with a wide face and an adolescent "beard" that is a shade lighter than his hair passed a paper across the table.

I observed the sheet of paper to be an internship acceptance letter.

This was just what I needed. Recently, there has been a change in department schedule that requires students to do at least one internship program before graduation. With the high competition and little-to-no-pay internship programs available, I was finding it hard until now at least.

"With pay?"

My smile brimmed when he answered, "Of course."

I almost jumped up from excitement but I managed to keep it cool, till I announced it to John in the evening.

╚»★«╝ . ╚»★«╝

As an international student in the United States, I saw this as my first step to achieve the American dream, at least my version of it.

My gleaming gaze raised up to the gold-plated sign that read, Futuretech. I did a quick dance on the street and stopped when a woman pushing a stroller looked at me weirdly.

Straightening my dress with my palms, the most professional corporate outfit I had. I know I didn't like Futuretech, but working as an intern here would be a big boost in my resume. International students like me did not have the luxury to pick and choose.

Today was my first day as an intern.

I stepped through the swing doors inside the reception area with awe. A giant chandelier hung from the ceiling. The floor to ceiling windows and there was space. So much space.

John was excited to find out I would be working with Futuretech. He had let it slip that his boyfriend was working here.

I knew without a doubt I would see him, but the fact remains; I didn't know what he looked like. There had to be about 1000 people working here.

There was one man I wanted to meet though. The same man who said I should stop wasting my parent's money. I hoped I would get the chance to rub this in his face.

Pushing the elevator button, I stepped in and found myself on the fifth floor, following the receptionist's directions.

Inside, the office was small and cold. Four cubicles shared an empty common area. The carpet was sea green. Everyone was sitting in their assigned seats.